In Memory

Jack T Webster - Class Of 1947

Jack T Webster

Jack Webster passed away in his home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois on May 22, 2010, after his brave struggle with bladder cancer. He was born in Los Angeles, California August 21, 1929 to Samuel Webster and Blanche Taggart Webster.

Jack grew up in South Pasadena, California where he first learned to love the water. Sailing from the California coast became a passion. He entered the University of Utah in Salt Lake, Utah, under the NROTC program and graduated with a degree in Metallurgy Science. The US Navy became his home for the following three years where he served as a commissioned officer from 1952 - 1955. During this time he was in the Western Pacific Zone and participated in amphibious landings in North Korea. After his discharge from the Navy he joined Alcoa in 1955, first in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and then transferred to Cleveland, Ohio. Jack worked in a variety of managerial positions progressing to the position of Plant Manager and Works Manager of the Chicago Die Casting operation in Hillside, Illinois. He was responsible for the operating, as well as the sales functions. While living in Cleveland Jack earned his MBA from Western Reserve University.

In 1956 Jack met his future wife, Judy, at a church skiing weekend south of Pittsburgh and they were married in Shaker Heights, Ohio, April 13, 1957. They moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and their three children were born while living there. He enjoyed good friends in Chagrin Falls, many activities with the Jaycees and weekly crewing for owners of Lightning and Thistle sailboats on Lake Erie. Alcoa transferred Jack to the Chicago Works in Hillside in 1963. Glen Ellyn has been their home ever since.

In 1970 Jack founded his company of Webster-Hoff Corporation, where he had remained as Chairman of the Board until the present time. The company is located in Glendale Heights, employs 50-60 employees and sells its powdered metal products all over the United States, France, and Germany. Jack greatly valued the friendships he made during his working years. During his life in Glen Ellyn he contributed to many civic and charitable organizations and served on the Glen Ellyn Public Library's board of trustees from 1985 to 1987 and chaired the library's fundraising arm, the Glen Ellyn Library Foundation from 2002 to 2007.  Jack also served on the board of the Glen Ellyn Kiwanis and was president of Mended Hearts DuPage, a support group for adults with heart disease.

For many years Jack enjoyed sailing, canoeing, fishing, biking, tennis, and golf with his friends and family. He spent years and years of happy times with friends and family on Captiva Island, Florida. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Judy; son, Scott (Debbie) Webster of Syracuse, New York; son, Bryan (Barbara) of Downers Grove, Illinois; daughter, Anne (Rich) Kramer of Glen Ellyn; and seven grandchildren; and his sister, Nancy Webster Wrisley (SPHS '45).

Chicago Suburban Daily Herald, May 30, 2010